Team Illinois
Team Illinois is an all-star team of 5-6 high school quizbowl players selected annually by the to the Illinois High School Scholastic Bowl Coaches Association (IHSSBCA) to represent Illinois at national competitions. From 1997-2008, Team Illinois competed in the Panasonic Academic Challenge. The program was canceled in 2009, but was resurrected to send a team to NASAT beginning in 2010.
Selection Process & Preparation
While there have been slight changes from year to year, the overall process of selecting the team is relatively constant. Individual coaches are invited to nominate players of exceptional talent, with an eye for players who tend to excel beyond IHSA format.
Players then attend a tryout in central Illinois where they compete within the format in general rounds as well as subject-specific rounds, while being observed by members of the selection committee, which is chosen by the coaches (who are chosen by the IHSSBCA Steering Committee).
The committee then meets to consider performance during the tryout, as well as statistical and performance achievement throughout the season. The goal is to provide for balance across subjects, as well as producing the overall best team.
The team generally practices several times between the selection and the competition.
2001 at the NSC
In 2001, Team Illinois was permitted to enter the PACE NSC to play exhibition matches. There were complaints regarding the presence of an all-star team, and Team Illinois was never permitted to return, nor has any other all-star team been permitted to participate. Nonetheless, Yogesh Raut was named to the All-Scholar team. Team Illinois' participation coincided with its coach, Rob Grierson, receiving the 2001 Benjamin Cooper Academic Ambassador Award.
Coaches
- 1997 - Rob Grierson
- 1998-2001 - Rob Grierson and Debbie Martin
- 2002–2005 - David Riley
- 2006–2007 - David Riley and Nick Pitz
- 2008 - Nick Pitz and David Adkins
- 2009 - no team
- 2010–2011 - David Riley and Mike Laudermith*
- 2012-2014 - Sharon Lorinskas and Jay Winter
- 2015 - Brad Fischer
- 2016 - Sharon Lorinskas
- 2017 - Mike Sorice and Matt Laird
Note: In 2005, 2007, and 2011, Riley was unable to travel. In 2005 and 2007, Tom Egan joined the team at the competition; in 2011, Matt Laird did so.
*Mike Laudermith also was a player on the first Team Illinois, in 1997.
Rosters & Results
Panasonic Era
From 1997-2008, Team Illinois competed at the Panasonic Academic Challenge. Players in bold were selected to the All-American team.
- Greg Gauthier was only the third player in the history of the PAC to be named to the All-American team, twice.
NASAT Era
Since 2010, Team Illinois has competed at NASAT. There was no Team Illinois in 2009.
See Also
- 1998 Illinois Panasonic Team
- 2000 Illinois Panasonic Team
- 2002 Illinois Panasonic Team
- 2007 Illinois Panasonic Team
- 2008 Illinois Panasonic Team
External Links
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